Myth Busting

FALSE.

When you’re sick or hurt – the last thing you want to do is wait.

Having private health insurance means you:

• Are protected against high costs of care.
• Don’t have to wait for hospital procedures.

Can tailor your extras to your lifestyle, meaning you are covered for the services you need most.

FALSE.

Unfortunately, ill-health or accidents can strike at any time regardless of age.

Young people with basic health cover are protected from high costs of care – and can choose the healthcare provider and timing of the procedure themselves.

FALSE.

• Consumers can very easily sign up to ‘no gap’ and no excess cover – meaning they are covered for services by specialists who have agreed not to charge any extra
• Out of pocket costs occur when hospitals or specialists who don’t have an agreement with your provider, charge you excess costs

Consumers should always check with specialists about any out-of-pocket costs they might incur.

FALSE.

Private health patients’ median waiting time for elective surgery is 20 days, compared to 42 days for public patients. [Reference: AIHW report]

• Private health insurance allows consumers to choose their healthcare provider and the timing of their procedure.
• With private health insurance, you don’t have to wait for hospital procedures.

FALSE.

• Private health insurance is voluntary, but all Australians benefit when the private health sector works well.
• Private health insurance takes pressure off public hospitals.